Learn IsiZulu : Celebrations Edition

Try our new series of drop-in language classes. We're calling it a Zulu class, but we'll include the tsotsi taal slang that helps you understand actual people, in daily life.

1pm-3:30pm, at the Rand Club store.

Each session is a stand-alone module about one, practical part of life. If you feel like you need to review the material, you can take it again. Or take a module on another topic, and ask whatever questions that are on your mind.

We're offering five modules:

Street food: shopping in the market

Getting around: Joburg by taxi or bus

Traditional culture in the city: the muti market

Music: new and traditional

Celebrations: Weddings and birthdays

None of these classes are heavy on spelling or grammar, though we do talk about that too. What we want is for you to leave and be able to talk, at least a little bit.

Want to learn isiZulu, but no time for a regular class? Join us for one of our drop-in classes, each about something fun and useful.

For the music edition, we meet at Bridge Books, where Thabiso starts the class with introductions -- learning how to introduce each other in isiZulu, and also in tsotsi taal -- the urban slang that most people in Joburg actually use every day.

Then Thabiso talks about important celebrations like weddings and birthdays, and the ways that South Africans like to mark the occasion.

He discusses traditions like lobola, and how events are celebrated today.

The language concepts we cover include:

* inviting people to a party

* thanking the hosts

* gift-giving and receiving

* party clothes

About the teacher:

Thabiso is a social activist, musician, and bookseller. He loves Zulu literature, and exploring the beauty of the language in his lyrics. He loves teaching others to appreciate Zulu in ways that are fun and practical.